As the deep-sea oil and gas industries continue to thrive,demand for a solid marine infrastructure is expected to continue as well. This means that specially trained underwater welders will be needed to complete the building of underwater structures. For some, a career in underwater weldingcould be just the right mixture of travel, adventure and excitement. But what exactly is underwater welding and what does an underwater welder do?

What Is Underwater Welding?

Also known as wet welding, underwater welding consists of a highly trained welder being submerged at elevated barometric pressures to conduct a weld directly in the water. Hyperbaric welding means quite simply welding at elevated pressures. A form of hyperbaric welding, called dry welding, consists of a welder being submerged underwater within a hyperbaric chamber. The chamber is filled with a high-pressure gas, which forces water out. In this case, the welder has a dry environment, even at great depths, to conduct necessary welding construction or repairs. Highly specialized welding training and a commercial diver’s certification is required to become a hyperbaric welder.

What Does an Underwater Welder Do?

Underwater welders need to be skilled divers first and welders second. An underwater welder is responsible for a wide variety of underwater construction and survey duties, and may use wet welding or dry welding techniques for a number of different applications. These may include constructing or repairing underwater pipelines, offshore drilling rigs, docking platforms, mining applications, ships and barges, dam repairs, locks, underwater habitats and nuclear power facilities. Most underwater welders work for commercial diving contractors, shipping companies, marine construction companies, oil and gas companies or a branch of the armed forces.

What Is the Income Range for an Underwater Welder?

Underwater welding can be a very lucrative career. There are several factors that will ultimately determine how much you will make.

Personal Skill – A fast, efficient, skilled hyperbaric welder’s salary can increase quite rapidly once they have proven their worth.

Geographic Location – The location of the underwater welder will have a lot to do with how much they are paid. Several factors need to be taken into consideration, such as the cost of living in each particular state and the union wages for that particular area.

Size of the Company – A small commercial diving company may have fewer than five crew members, a medium company may have fewer than 12 crew members and a large company may have 20 or more crew members. Usually, the larger the company, the higher the wages.

A special report put out by the American Welding Society (AWS) pegs the annual salary range for a hyperbaric welder between $100,000 and $200,000 per year. Most welder-divers are paid per project, and other factors such as depth, diving method and diving environment can affect the rate of pay.

The shale boom in the Gulf Coast has created a demand for skilled workers, particularly welders, in Texas and Louisiana. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) also reports that these two states, along with Florida and California, have the highest employment levels for commercial divers.

Skills And Special Training Needed To Become an Underwater Welder

An underwater welder will need to have the right attitude, the desire to travel and a sense of adventure and excitement about their chosen career. The candidate must also be in good physical condition and have the following attributes:

Must be able to pass a physical exam.

Must be commercial dive certified (a commercial dive certification is different from just a dive certification). This requires a diver to show significant skill in diver communication, diving physiology, emergency procedures, underwater inspections, hyperbaric chamber operation and proficiency in using a variety of commercial grade tools.

The diver must also have AWS-certified welding training. This requires that a diver be skilled in welding set-up procedures and preparation.

How Does One Get Started In This Industry?

To enter the underwater welding profession, a significant amount of training is required. First, you will need formal instruction from a school that offers underwater welding training. Second, you will need to obtain a commercial diver’s license. Maintaining current qualifications is important. Like any profession, employment is dependent on economic supply and demand. As the underwater welding industry continues to grow, the standards for underwater welds and certification are expected to increase, so having up-to-date qualifications will be necessary to thriving in the industry.

]]>http://divermag.com/how-to-get-into-underwater-welding/feed/050 fascinating facts about the oceanhttp://divermag.com/50-fascinating-facts-about-the-ocean/
http://divermag.com/50-fascinating-facts-about-the-ocean/#respondMon, 14 Dec 2015 17:55:22 +0000http://divermag.com/?p=4767With over 72% of the world’s surface taken up by ocean, there is a huge amount of ocean still to be discovered. Only 5% of the world’s Oceans have been explored and even though it is such a small amount, given how much surface area these oceans cover, we already know so much. Did you know that the world’s oceans are not flat? Due to gravity, underwater mountain ranges and winds, this can affect the sea levels around the world. Divein.com has created an amazing infographic which contains 50 mind-blowing pieces of information that you may or may not know already. Take a look to find out more about the world’s oceans and what lies beneath…

Whilst at DEMA this year, we had the pleasure of bumping into Chelsea Welch. Her exciting new Kickstarter campaign is for a women’s dive watch that’s been designed by women divers.

Las Vegas based The Abingdon Co. is a boutique watch company for women. They’ve produced and sold luxurious adventure watches with accessible pricing for the last 7 years, creating watches in styles traditionally reserved for men. “The fact that these products exist for men but not for women is like saying men can use smartphones but women can use ‘cell phones’. It’s an outdated way of thinking and time for things to change”. Says Chelsea.

While the company is known for women’s pilot watches, their new watch – Marina – will be a dive watch for women that offers as much function as it does fashion. Women’s scuba watches with Marina’s features exist already, but they cost at least $10,000. The goal for the Marina Kickstarter campaign is to help release a women’s scuba watch onto the market with a much more accessible starting price of $950.

You can find out more about The Abingdon Co in the video below, but first, head to the Kickstarter page and help launch the fantastic looking, and practical watches.

The problem: A swillion, or so, years ago, we humans were designed (or evolved, or left here by aliens – please substitute your desired flavour) to function best under a fairly rigid set of specifications. These specs include sea level pressure, specific body temperature, sufficient light to avoid walking into doors, and a fuel gas pressure of 2.94 psi. These ‘specifications’ could just as accurately be called ‘limitations’.

On this planet of ours the greatest difference in relief is a mere 15 miles, give or take.The highest mountain is about seven miles up and the bottom of the Marianas Trench is, coincidently, just over seven miles down. We can’t go to the top of Mount Everest the way we were born: naked, freezing, needing 20 percent oxygen and not finding it. We sure as hell can’t go to the ultimate bottom of the ocean the way we were born! So, here we are stuck, in a narrow band around sea level; stuck here by our physical inabilities, slaves to gravity and a long list of other limitations. Sure, we can extend our natural range a bit, but only a very little bit – a breath-hold dive, for example. But stray too far and the results are catastrophic…. PHUT!! Gone to boot hill.

“But,” you may say, “Hang on, we do go way, way outside our guidelines every day! We get on aircraft and fly to Europe, or get on a cruise ships and cross oceans, get in a submersible and go to the bottom of the sea or get on a spacecraft and travel to the moon!” Yes, absolutely right, thank you for making that point.

The solution: How do we accomplish these seemingly impossible stunts? TECHNOLOGY, or more specifically, the ‘Armour of Technology’. This is just a fancy way of saying ‘devices’, ‘contraptions’, ‘machines’ – clever stuff that we conjure up and then fabricate to allow us to get around those nature-imposed rules that hold us back. Can’t fly? Get inside something that can. Adjust the cabin pressure to a comfortable level, turn on the heaters and blowers to get the temperature to where you want it – and make sure that you have plenty of air with the right percentages of oxygen and nitrogen.

Finding a Solution

Sound familiar? Sure, SCUBA GEAR! Air? On your back. Temperature? Wet or dry suits. Vision? An air-holding mask with a transparent port. Locomotion? Polymer ‘flippers’. Gadgets, contraptions, devices. Okay…so what’s the downside, what’s the problem with good ol’ SCUBA gear? In a word: PRESSURE, or, (in two words) differential pressure. The physiological hazards of diving while exposed to outside pressure (ambient pressure diving) are many. Some you know very well, others may be just a faint memory from your long-ago dive course. They include: decompression sickness (DCS), high pressure nervous syndrome (HPNS), hypercapnia, hypoxia, nitrogen narcosis and various barotrauma events involving the natural air spaces of the body – sinuses, teeth, ears, etc. Most of these problems are significantly exacerbated with increased depth. Deep gas-divers, for example, face the additional hazard of residual damage from repetitive or prolonged exposure – bone necrosis being one of the lead pressure-induced problems.

So, the obvious answer to the problem is not to be exposed to ambient pressure at all, but to remain at surface pressure. There’s no question that quitting diving is one drastic solution. If that’s not acceptable, then what is needed is a contraption, a device, a technological suit of armour – a submarine that you can wear – an atmospheric diving suit (ADS).

A new idea? Nope. The history of ADS is generally accepted to have started with an Englishman named John Lethbridge. Lethbridge invented and used a device he called the “Diving Engine without Communication of Air”…in the year 1715. Essentially, it was an oaken barrel with a sight glass. His arms stuck out through holes in the sides of the sealed barrel and the sleeves were made watertight by leather cuffs. With this device, Lethbridge reported, “I have been ten fathoms deep many a hundred times.” He also reported bottom time at about half an hour. (A colleague of mine, Robert Stenuit, built a replica of the Lethbridge device and reports that it actually worked!)

From that point on, there have been many attempts to build a fully functional ADS that would allow the wearer to go to ‘great depths’ and stay there for hours without ever being exposed to the physiological hazards of pressure. Skipping over the scores of patents for ADS that either didn’t work because the inventor didn’t really understand the magnitude of the problem (the need to design a limb joint that would function properly under huge total pressure loads) and those that might have worked if the materials technology had been further advanced at that time, the first modern ADS is generally accepted to be the ‘Jim’ suit, built in the UK in 1969. ‘Jim’ utilized a joint design that was patented by Joseph Peress and used on a prototype ADS called the ‘Tritonia’ to dive on the wreck of the ‘Lusitania’ in the 1930’s. (I knew Peress in his last years and can attest to the fact that the man was an engineering genius in every sense of the word. PN)

How Affordable?

Probably the best known of the recent ADS series was the ‘Newtsuit’, a thousand foot rated ADS patented by yours truly in 1985 and sold to navies all ’round the world for submarine intervention.

All of these ADS devices have shown a slow but steady progression in depth rating, ease of limb movement, thrusters, life support, ancillary equipment, etc. The corollary is very much like
the initial flight of the Wright brothers ‘Kittihawk’ leading up to the modern aircraft of today and even to the recently successful ‘space planes’.

So, to cut to the chase after a very long (and possibly boring) lead up: What we need is a ONE ATMOSPHERE SCUBA SUIT! A free-swimming suit that will protect the wearer from all the effects of high ambient pressure and totally eliminate all the nasty physiological hazards previously mentioned. How likely is that? If I have my way, pretty darn likely.

Hard on the heels of our most recent ‘Exosuit’ ADS comes a lightweight, swimming ADS design. The initial model probably will be rated for continental shelf depths, say 600 feet, or so. Life support should run not less than 20 hours and locomotion would be use of flippers in ‘almost’ the conventional manner. The most difficult task that our Nuytco team can foresee is neither technical nor mechanical: it is getting the selling price down to a palatable level, initially something around the price of a luxury sports car. We think that we sell enough at that level to allow us to further reduce the price down to a point that any serious diver can afford. Possible? Well, on the commercial ADS side, we were able to cut the price of the ‘Exosuit’ down to around half the price of previous ADS models.

Click for EXOSUIT details

Picture this:

Jump into your ‘Exo-swimmer’ (hopefully, we’ll be able to come up with a jazzier name) and drop down to few hundred feet. You’ll be in continuous wireless contact with the surface, you’re warm and dry and you have all day to explore, to work, to capture fabulous images or just to look around you and marvel that you are there at all. Man! It sure sounds good to me – so, stay tuned!

Photo: Neil McDaniel

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http://divermag.com/the-case-for-one-atmosphere-diving-exosuit/feed/1Dive Gear: Now and Thenhttp://divermag.com/dive-gear-now-and-then/
http://divermag.com/dive-gear-now-and-then/#commentsThu, 18 Sep 2014 16:43:57 +0000http://divermag.com/?p=4088Advances in gear design & technology over 60 years may not make diving more fun, but it is much easier. And, a picture’s worth a lot of words, we think!

Text by Phil Nuytten

Bouyancy CompensatorsBouée Fenzy / Aqua Lung Axiom i3
The French Navy’s Bouée Fenzy, left, was arguably the first effective BC. A horse collar style, its adjustable buoyancy was fed by small HP air supply on the back. Aqua Lung’s Axiom is feature-rich with inflation/deflation system, integrated ‘Wrapture’ harness system for comfort and stability, integrated (mechanical release) weight system, pull down oral inflator, a bladder retraction system, pockets, D-rings, air dump options. Today’s BCDs are superior safety gear, offering a wider range of diver movement, comfort and many more features.

Diver Propulsion VehiclesFarallon DPV / SS Minnus 1.5
Many of the ‘tow-subs’ were homemade (car battery, 12 volt starter, outboard prop) in the 50s but this Ralph Shamlian Farallon brand DPV was popular among early commercial units. The Submerge Minnus 1.5 scooter, right, is just 25 inches long and 38 pounds, powered by an advanced LiPO NMC battery offering up to three hours run time. Using a 24 volt motor and three speed throttle, it covers 225 feet per minute. The industrial grade HDPE construction provides a depth rating to 400 feet.

Dive KnivesLa Spirotechnique Grimsbi Leg Knife/ Aqua Lung Squeeze Lock
This formidable looking French knife, like most in its day, was large and for strapping on the leg. “Is it for sharks,” people asked. “Yes,” I’d reply, “if they’re threatening I use it to nick my buddy.” Today, knives, like this one are compact, high quality stainless blades that can be mounted anywhere. This one locks into its sheath with squeeze handle.

Drysuit BootsThermal Sox / Whites EVO 3
These early rubber booties were used by fishermen, hunters and others inside their leather boots, and were ideal to pull over the easily torn gum rubber dry suits too. Today, dive boots like these are hardcore footwear. The EVO 3 was designed in conjunction with the military and features heavy, dual layered sole, reinforced ankle support, drainage ports and reinforced toe and heel.

Underwater CompassesAn early Sunnto / Suunto SK7
A compass is a compass! The concept remains the same although there have been many design variations on offer through the decades, from wrist wear to gauge mounts to the digital compass incorporated in dive computers. Today’s Sunnto compasses feature a +/- 30 degree tilt feature and rugged bezel.

Film/Video HousingsBolex H16 / Amphibico Rouge / GoPro Hero 3+
This Bolex 16mm movie camera and housing was the ‘Cadillac’ of its day, typically running a three minute load. Manual wind lever visible. We have come a long way! Amphibico’s Rouge housing is for the RED Scarlet X and Epic cinema cameras. Dual electronic Amphibi-grips and menu control panel provide user access to all important key controls. And then there’s the hybrid GoPro revolution with as much effect underwater as above.

WeightingSeasoft Seawolf / Ammo Belt
World War II cartridge belts, preferably with brass closures and webbing strap for quick release, were the order of the day in the 50s. Now weight is integrated in BCDs.Harnesses, left, are adjustable, use easy release ditchable weight pockets and do a fine job distributing the weight you carry.

Underwater PhotographyRolleimarin 70mm / Ikelite 100D Housing & DS161 Strobe
The Rolleimarin was the Bentley of underwater stills photography in the 1950s. It packed 12 x 70mm film stock, illuminated by flash bulbs. The Fenjohn was a high end light meter. Today’s smallest digital SLR can snap thousands of images onto a tiny memory card, record HD video using automatic exposure, light metering, and focusing. Housed in a lightweight polycarbonate case and complimented with LED quick charge strobes, glass or plastic dome ports and digital viewfinders.

MasksSquale / Hollis M1
The French made, low volume mask of the 50s was favoured by drysuit divers for its feathered edge that sealed well over drysuit hoods. The distinct oval window gave way to a shaped, extra clear, toughened glass with lower iron content allowing more light transfer and reduced green tint. Frames are a thing of the past with 100 percent pure silicone skirts for a soft, snug fit and an even lower volume. Quick adjust straps, and the big difference – the ability to squeeze your nose!

UndergarmentsWool / Pinnacle V-Skin
Two-piece, or back-flap entry wooly longjohns have evolved, but wool stands the test of time. Today, Merino wool-lined ‘skins’ are incorporated into tri-laminate material with a micro porous membrane and high stretch lycra outer. A technical combination of modern day fabrics combined with the tried and true.

SnorkelsCressi Sigma / Bel-Aqua Snorkel
You’d be forgiven for thinking that Bill Barada’s much loved snorkel design couldn’t be improved upon but think again. Although the soft mouthpiece remains relatively intact, a float activated dry valve can now instantly prevent water from entering through the top, a purge valve allows for easy clearing, flexible lower bores reduce jaw fatigue, and high quality silicone is now a standard replacement for rubber.

WetsuitsAqua Lung / Oceaner Performance
Iconic off the rack 60s wetsuits, shown far left, with sharkskin finish, were made of foam neoprene with a nylon liner. The 3/16th inch stock suit was followed by quarter inch after 1957. Advancements in neoprene have created tougher, stretchier, more flexible wetsuits with lycra edge bindings, and ultra stretch nylons. Lightweight plastic back zippers, kevlar kneepads and a range of colours, plus customizable printing of your own “tattoos” or logos are also on offer.

Dive LightsLight & Motion Gobe / Ikelite
The preferred underwater lights for many years were large and heavy. With the introduction of LEDs they’re now smaller, lighter and brighter. With pistol grips, helmet mounts, wrist mounts, interchanging light heads for wide or narrow beams, even black light for viewing phosphorescence. Quick charging, internal sealed battery packs and longer burn times.

ComputersShearwater Petrel / Kidd/Stubbs
The multi-tissue decompression computer, early version pictured, was developed by Derek Kidd and Roy Stubbs at Canada’s Defense & Civil Institute between 1955-75. This marked the beginning of the modern dive computer. Since then dive computers have become increasingly sophisticated with their multi-colour digital HD displays, multiple decompression algorithms for air, nitrox, trimix, SCUBA and rebreathers. They offer adjustable conservatism, colour coded warnings, 1000 hours of onboard dive logs, and accompanying software to link to your home computer and dive sharing via social media.

HoodsScuba Queen / Waterproof H1 510 Sandwich
A nifty old school idea that allows those with ear troubles to dive – a foam neoprene hood with internal ear cups. Two small holes connected by a hose run from a modified second stage and allow for regulated air pressure to surround the diver’s ears. Nowadays no such product exists, but insulation has advanced with one way hood air venting systems, shaped fits, superstrech nylon, multiple layer neoprene and glideskin.